FOREST ECONOMICS 



The Unit conducted a sociological study to determine the 

 carrying capacity of canoe routes in Algonquin Provincial 

 Park to provide information required in the preparation of 

 the Algonquin Park Plan. 



A continuing review of forestry and the forest industry of 

 the USSR is maintained. 



TREE NUTRITION 



Several experiments are In progress to determine the effects 

 of various nutrient materials in different applications on a 

 number of tree species. Techniques have been developed 

 and described to measure the effects of nutrient treatments. 



Analyses of foliar samples and growth data from black 

 spruce in the Kinoje Lake area (51°32' N, 81°50' W) indi- 

 cated a correlation between volume growth at the tree base 

 and foliar nitrogen. 



SEED RESEARCH 



Preliminary studies have indicated a meaningful relation- 

 ship between seed size and density and rate of seedling 

 growth in white and black spruce and jack pine. The objec- 

 tive of continuing studies is to define this relationship more 

 closely. 



A study of jack pine seed showed a reduced germination 

 rate for smaller seeds and a decrease in total germination 

 with decreasing density of the seed lots. Uniformly, fast- 

 growing, seedlings may be best obtained by eliminating 

 small and low-density seed. 



ECOLOGY 



The program involves studies of the developmental relation- 

 ships between tree species and their environments, and in- 

 cludes physiological investigations of host responses to en- 

 vironmental stress (including biological pressures). In par- 

 ticular, the studies provide information basic to the manage- 

 ment of the hardwood forests. 



Studies of physio-ecological aspects of yellow birch re- 

 generation revealed that pigmentation is a useful ecological 

 display of integrated light value and seedling vigour, espe- 

 cially in partially cut stands where maple and birch manage- 

 ment are combined. 



Data on the extent, severity and variability of logging dam- 

 age were gathered during an operation in Algonquin Pro- 

 vincial Park maple stands. Information resulting from the 

 interpretation was incorporated into the management 

 program. 



DEVELOPMENTAL 



A design change in the air conditioning of the greenhouse 

 resulted in a much more efficient system. 



A number of items were developed including a pack and 

 dispenser for handling herbicide pellets, an improved 

 method of handling groups of seeds, and a special dispenser 

 for mixing fertilizer formulae. The feasibility of field green- 

 house designs was investigated. 



FIELD UNITS 



NORTHERN ONTARIO 



Earlier studies of cut-over areas indicated the strong numeri- 

 cal dominance of balsam fir over more desirable white 

 spruce in the natural regeneration, emphasizing the need 

 for control and management information for balsam fir. As 

 an indirect control, the possibility of influencing flower and 

 seed production of balsam fir with synthetic auxins is being 

 investigated. As a direct control of balsam fir seedlings, a 

 range of scarification treatments was conducted on 85 acres 

 of a white spruce seed tree cutting. 



A series of micro-environmental studies was initiated to 

 determine the natural factors promoting or inhibiting bal- 

 sam fir germination. 



A wood-quality study of trembling aspen, undertaken on 

 cut-over areas supporting poplar regeneration up to thirty 

 years of age, revealed no reliable relationships between 

 numerous external features and wood quality. A new study 

 is examining growth and wood quality in relation to soil and 

 site features. 



CENTRAL ONTARIO 



Field and laboratory studies continued on nutrition, growth 

 and the productivity ecology of spruce, as well as species 

 and racial variation in the spruce genus. Root systems were 

 excavated from a range of conditions; biomass and chemi- 

 cal data were collected. 



Tubed seedlings, representing 28 spruces, 50 provenances 

 and 14 forms and hybrids, were out-planted in experiments 

 covering a complete range of plant hardiness zones and site 

 regions in Ontario. Taxonomical, physiological and geneti- 

 cal relationships within and between spruce species will be 

 investigated. 



SOUTH-CENTRAL ONTARIO 



The work of the Unit was re-organized to provide direct 

 assistance to management of the hardwood forests in Algon- 

 quin Provincial Park. This included interpretation of new 

 aerial photography to locate the stands of sugar maple which 

 show promise of being suitable for continued production 



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